First Timer Questions about Cruising the Caribbean
 

I have had a dream about sailing the Caribbean, hence the email
address, and I have some questions about it.

1) I am curious about the fees that are associated with the individual
islands for a 35 foot sailboat. Particularly the costs of islands in
the Lesser Antilles. I have looked on local websites, but they are
really hard to find actual costs. Ballpark estimates a just fine.

2) What about short term mooring fees (2-3 days), do they tend to be
expensive there?

3) Also, this will be my first fairly open water sailing experience.
What are some things that I need to know about making Caribbean hops
that I might not think of.

Any advice will be really appreciated,

Best Regards,


John

In article .com,
wrote:

I have had a dream about sailing the Caribbean, hence the email
address, and I have some questions about it.

1) I am curious about the fees that are associated with the individual
islands for a 35 foot sailboat. Particularly the costs of islands in
the Lesser Antilles. I have looked on local websites, but they are
really hard to find actual costs. Ballpark estimates a just fine.

2) What about short term mooring fees (2-3 days), do they tend to be
expensive there?

3) Also, this will be my first fairly open water sailing experience.
What are some things that I need to know about making Caribbean hops
that I might not think of.

I'd suggest Bruce van Sant's "The Gentleman's Guide to Passages South"
as a primer.

Then I'd suggest the cruising stories from http://cruisenews.net/,
particularly the logs of Destiny Calls:
http://cruisenews.net/db/page.php?site_id=123

They're slightly dated, but will give you a starting point.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

The fees vary from island to island but are reasonable, i.e. $free to
$15 usually for a 30 to 90 day stay. If you are not a documented boat
(registered only) stay clear of the French islands or at least one or
two of their 'check in' ports where the port captain can choose to
impose a fine. Other cruisers encountered in route will let you know as
you go as to which ones are being PITA's.

I think only the BVI and USVI have moorings that they will charge you
for...about $10 a night and only if you want one...otherwise you'll be
on anchor everywhere; unless you are a marina freak.

Island hopping the Caribbean is pretty easy on boat and crew since
most all passages are daysails, but don't get the idea they are not
'open water' ones.
You and your boat still have to be prepared.

Getting there is a lot of the fun unless you take the 'thorny path'
motorsailing into the prevailing easterlies like so many do(IMHO). A
much safer and pleasant course is to just head east (anywhere above
22N) until you are about 064W and then turn south. This is an 'open
water' passage alright, but much preferred by sailors. Depending on
your boat and point of departure it takes 7 to 10 days compared to as
many weeks bashing into the trades getting to the Virgins (top of the
chain)from the states.